Alberta hands out more Fort McMurray bonuses

Morepeople who live and work in Fort McMurray will be getting an extra $1,040 a month from the provinceto help with the high cost of living.

About1,000 health-care staff, day-care workers and provincial employees already get the allowance, but this month the bonus was extended tothe remaining 1,500 people who work for organizations funded by the province. That includes teachers, college staff and community workers.

Treasury Board President Lloyd Snelgrove said Tuesdaythecost of living in Fort McMurray is higher than anywhere else in Alberta.

"We use a very defined and set up criteria," he said. "It takes…Grande Prairie, Edmonton and Calgary and shows what the average housing costs are, andFort McMurray is still very nearly $700 higher than the average."